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UK’s furniture fire regulations consultation re-ignites

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London — The UK government has amended its 2014 Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations consultation document and is inviting comments from industry players.

The Department for Business, Environment, Innovation and Strategy (BEIS) released the 57-page document in September and is giving respondents until November 11 to provide views.

The amendments include a revised match test for covers (building on previous proposals); a new match test for components to be used in certain circumstances,and removal of the cigarette test for most covers.

It also outlines revised definition of furniture and specific list of exclusions; various clarifications and the removal of certain childcare products from scope.

New proposals around issues of traceability and enforcement have also been included. If passed through parliament as is, manufacturers will be required to hold a technical file outlining materials used in production.

The consultation’s revised approach to permanent labelling includes the introduction of information on the use of flame retardants and the removal of the requirement for temporary display labels.

It also increases time for Trading Standards to bring a prosecution from six months to one year.

The British Retailers Consortium said in a statement: “The BRC has been actively engaged with BEIS through the development of the regulation through individual meetings and workshops.

“BRC members will be meeting with the Furniture Retailers Quality Group at FIRA shortly to review their position.”